As the Director of Community Outreach and Business Lending with Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, Inc. (ACE). Ms. Echols is responsible for educating, supporting and providing access to capital to local businesses throughout the Metropolitan Atlanta Area, by building long term partnerships with local organizations in communities within the neighboring counties. Vonda aims to construct and introduce a proactive role in strengthening the core element of sustainable businesses and community growth.Vonda began her career in Business Development at Morris Brown College, in the Economic Development Department as a Program Coordinator where she provided business advisory services and subsidized office space to start-up business owners in the City of Atlanta Empowerment Zone. Soon after, she managed the Microenterprise Development Program at Partnership for Community Action Inc., where she funded over 500 small to mid-size businesses.Vonda initially joined ACE as a Small Business Loan Officer in the Lending Department concentrating on providing access to capital to start-up and existing busineses.Vonda holds a Bachelors of Art Degree in Mass Media Arts with a minor in Marketing from Morris Brown College, and a Master in Business Administration from Kaplan University. She is currently enrolled at Capella University pursuing a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling.